Electric igniter for explosive-engines.



No. 643,002. Patented Feb. 6, I900. W. J. PERKINS 8:. C. H. BLOMSTRUM. ELECTRIC IGNITER FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

(Application filed Dec. 9, 1897:) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Shaei I.

29mm 7 08mm HaryIPS/"k/"S.

Patented Feb. 6, I900.

3 Sheeis8haet (Application filed Dec. 9, 1897.)

W. J. PERKINS &. C. H. BLOMSTROM. ELECTRIC IGNITER FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES (No Model.)

No. 643,002. Patented Feb. 6, I900. W. J. PERKINS & C. H. BLOMSTBOM. ELECTRIC IGNITER FOB EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

(Application filed Dec. 9, 1897.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

W/T/VESSES X9... @oiW/ sun-40.. WASnvNGYQN n c 'ATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIS J. PERKINS AND CARL H. BLOMSTROM, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, SAID BLOMSTROM ASSIGNOR TO SAID PERKINS.

ELECTFliC IGNITER FOR EXPLOSlVE-ENGINES.

SPECKFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,002, dated February 6, 1900.

Application filed December 9,1897. Serial No. 661,285. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we,WILLIs J. PERKINS and CARL H. BLOMSTROM, citizens of the United States, residing at the city of Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Explosive-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to explosive-gas engines, and has for its object to provide new and improved spark-producing mechanism which is adjustable to effect the explosions at different periods or positions of the piston and which is simple in construction and will obtain the desired result effectively and'certainly. This object is accomplished in the manner and by the means hereinafter described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of an explosiveengine constructed in accordance with our invention, with parts cut away for the purpose of showing the internal arrangement of the mechanism in detail. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 show detailed views of the spark-producing device. Fig. 5 shows an end elevation of the engine, partially in section. Fig. (Sis asectional view through the igniter-actuating rod and sparkshifting mechanism. Fig. 7 is across-section of the igniter-actuatin g rod. Fig. 8 is a crosssection of the key which looks the igniter-actuating rod with a sleeve adapted to be oscillated to shift or alter the period of ignition. Fig. 9 is a sectional View through the upper end of the cylinder and head, showing the position of the electrodes and their connections.

Like letters refer to like parts in the drawings.

A represents the cylinder, which is preferably formed integral with the base of the engine, in which the engine-crank moves, the space for the crank-shaft and crank forming an air-tight chamber into which the explosive charge is received, compressed, and retained prior to its admission into the exploding chamber at the opposite end of the piston. The cylinder-head Disb olted to the upper end of the cylinder A, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. The crank-chamber has two flanges, one at either side. (Shown by E and F in Fig.1.) The crank-shaft O is constructed and operated in the usual manner. The outer case I is preferably made of thin material, such as sheet metal; but any suitable material may be used. best results in vaporizing the inflowing gasolene, dry warm air of substantially unvarying temperature should be used instead of damp cold air of varying temperature. The

air takes the course shown by the arrows I removed in order to get access to the elec- 7o trode M of the igniter.

J is also a cap or cover, having a peripheral flange extending downwardly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, so as to lap over the outer shell or case I of the cylinder and to leave an air-space for inflowing air to pass through.

We have provided a movable and a sta tionary electrode, as is usually done where electricity is used to explode the compressed charge. uninsulated, while the stationary electrode (shown by M) is insulated by any suitable material.

L is the movable electrode and has a bear- I This sleeve is preferably ing in the sleeve L. tapering at its inner wall of the cylinder. Near its outer end there is a shoulder L, which serves as an abutting surface against which the nut L abuts. The nut L engages with a screw-thread in the outer wall of the '90 cylinder A and forms a guide and support for the electrode and sleeve L. The nut L is extended into a sleeve and not only engages with the cylinder A by a screw-thread, but it also has a lock-nut L for retaining it securely in place. The sleeve L is surrounded with water, (see Fig. 9,) which circulates in the water-space, thereby preventing the spindle of the movable electrode from heating, thus enabling the operator to keep the spindle at all times lubricated and in good order. An oil-duct L is provided to receive oil for the In order to procure the 55 The space also forms a sort of muifiing 65 The movable electrode is preferably 80 purpose of lubricating. the journal of the electrode L, and a spring-seated puppet-val ve L prevents the charge from escaping from the ignition-chamber, but permits the oil to flow freely to the inner journal through oil-duct L when valve L is pressed down by the end of the oil-can spout. For the purpose of securin ga quick break to produce an efficient spark we provide a projecting contact-arm L on one 10 end of the electrode L, and on the other end of L we provide two arms. One of these arms (shown by L") is keyed or otherwise rigidly connected to the electrode L, while the other arm (shown by L has an oscillating motion r 5 andis raised by the contact-point of the sparkactuating rod. A spring L is shown in Fig.

2. The form of the movable arm is shown clearly in Fig. 3, and the form of the arm which is keyed to the electrode is shown in Fig. 4. The arm L extends beyond the arm L and forms the contact-point for a dog on the actuating-rod N. The rod N is moved by "Wan eccentric, as hereinafter described, and contributes avertical vibratory motion to two contact-points. One is shown by N and the other by N. \Vhen the actuating-rod N is moved upward, one of the contact-points (N as shown in Fig. 5,) comes in contact with the free end of arm L which arm being attached to the electrode L, as above described,

turns the electrode-arm L until the electrodes are in contact, and the continuous upwardmovement of actuating-rod Ncontinues the contact of the electrodes under increasing spring-pressure until the free end of the springarm L escapes from the point N, when the spring L carries the free end of the arm L down, giving a quick blow or stroke on the arm L which is rigid with L, oscillating or rocking the same a sufficient distance to separate the electrodes and producing a most efficient spark for igniting the gas in the compression-chamber. Thus the electrodes are brought together by a comparatively slow mo- 5 tion, are held together by an increasing pressure, and are separated by a quick stroke. The spring L may be of any suitable form to enable the described action to be seen red between the two arms L and L. It will be noted that this arrangement of parts eliminates all friction on electrode L, as there is no outside tension applied thereto. The actua ti ng-rod wr ch ra eutriarrdfe s? 1 though other mechaiii'siii would gives'iibs'tantiallythesame movement to it. Thelowcr end of the actuating-rod N fits in a suitable socket N, formed in a projection of the eccentricstrap N which eccentric-strap is actuated by an eccentric on the c rankshaft G. Toward the upperen'ddfthe actl'iati'iig rod N said rod has a sliding bearing pivoted at right angles to the rod N,.the pivot being shown in Figs.

1 and 5 by N The pivot N is supported in journal-box on arm N, which is preferably fastened to the cylinder. The bearing og sleeveis rocked or oscillated by movineiit of the actuating-rod Na s it is moved by the eccentric, causing the upper end of the actuating-rod to desc jhelantellipse, the major axis of which in the example of our invention would be the throw of the eccentric, while the minor axis would depend upon the relative position of the pivoted bearing upon the actuating-rod to the dogs N and N. If, however, the pivoted bearing be placed nearer the lower end than theupper end of the actuating-rodfth'en the major axis would be horizontal and the throw of the eccentric would be the minor axis. By changing tl e positipn ofithis pivoted hea ing the moy' ementdf the upper endof'tlie actuating-rod may be varied at pleasure. Any suitable battery, as 0, may be used. Attached to coil P are wires 0 and P, with binding-posts and electrode-points M and L In the example of our invention shown in Fig. 6 there are two-contact-points N and N both being on the same sleeve and rigidly secured to. the actuating-rod, but adjustable longitudinally upon the actuating-rod by means of the two nuts shown in said Fig. 6. The lower contact-point N is used when the engine is finsustarted in order that the comoustion may take place as the crank passes over the center and not cause the motion of thecranks to reverse by the too-sudden ignition and explosion of the charge. The upper point of contact N is used after the engine is under motion, for the reason that it is desirable that complete combustion of the charge should take placein the almost-immeasurable space of time allowed therefor, the motion of the rapidly-moving balance-wheel acting to carry the crank over thecenter. The early ignition or ignition before the crank on the crank-shaft passes the center gives increased power and speed to theengine and economizes the gas or gasolene used. ll a tuating-r%l N has a seat in lh e p centrig flmand'is lfeldhn ve'ltical iasiti on by master a springN ,which spring bears against a collar N", which is securely fastened to the screw-threaded sleeve NE- a. second collar being attached to the ac tiTating-rod, as shown by N.

In case of a prematureexplosion reversing the engine the contact-point N or N would engage with the arm L actuating-rod N being held up thereby, While the spring N would yield. The actuating-rod N is provided with a slot N through which slot passes the key N, having its outer ends supported by the sleeve N, which sleeve N has a free rotary movement within the sleeve N already described. The upper end of the sleeve N is provided with a screw-collar N which abuts against the upper end of collar N and its lower end is enlarged so as to form a bearing at that end against the lower end of sleeve N as fully shown in Fig. 6. The sleeve N has also a projection to which is pivoted the handle N The handle N has a lug N, which is adapted to engage with two or more slots at N in sleeve N When the handle is in the position shown by solid lines in Fig. 6, the lug N will be in engagement with slot N By lowering the handle to the position shown by dotted lines the lug is disengaged and the sleeve N encircles the rod N, thereby changing the contact-points N and N at pleasure.

R, Fig. 5, is the water-inlet pipe through which the water is forced into the water-space B between the cylinder and the shell surrounding the same. The Water passes upward till it reaches the point Win the cylinder-head, from whence it flows downwardly through the pipe R and escapes through the outlet-pipe R The pipe R is screwthreaded into the base of the water reservoir, and R is a hole drilled to receive the lower end of R and connecting R and R By drilling a small hole It a small stream of water will flow into the exhaust-pipe S, thereby keeping down the temperature of the exhaust-pipe. A plug R is used to close the hole R and to prevent the escape of the water except into the exhaust-pipe. It also furnishes means of obtaining easy access to the hole B, so as to clean the same and prevent clogging. The exhaustpipe S is carried down inside of the outer shell or zone Q and is provided with an elbow S, securely fastened to it by a single bolt S thereby permitting the elbow S to be moved in any required direction without afiecting the joint. This elbowis also easily removed and replaced from the engine. Into the end of the elbow S is screwed the end of the exhaust-pipe S A prolongation of the exhaust-gas duct S is provided with a relief-cock screwed therein, having its inner end beveled and fitted into an inlet-hole which opens into the cylinder. By unscrewing the relief-cock S the imprisoned charge will escape through the exhaust until the piston passes above the part S, when the compression will ensue.

Hating thus described ourinvention,what we claim to have invented, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a gas-engine, the combination with a cylinder having an inner and an outer wall with a water-space therebetween, of a movable electrode, a bearing therefor exposed to the Water in said space, and means closing the opening into the jacket through which the said bearing passes, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with a cylinder having an inner and an outer wall with water-space therebetween, of a movable electrode, a sleeve in which it has a bearing, and which is exposed to the water in said space, and a nut engaged witha screw-thread in the outer wall and closing the opening into the jacket through which the said sleeve passes, substantially as specified.

3. In a gas-engine, the combination of a cylinder having an inner and outer wall with water-space therebetween the stationary and movable electrode adapted to have contact with each other in the ignition-chamber, a sleeve encircling the movable electrode and passed through said water-space, an opening through the cylinder-head, an oil-duct adapted to convey oil to the movable-electrode journal, and a puppet-valve adapted to close said passage, substantially as described.

4. The combination in a gas-engine, of a movable and a stationary electrode, said movable electrode suitably journaled and extending from the outside to the inside of the cylinder and passed through a water-space, an opening extendingthrough the cylinder-head adapted to convey oil to the movable-electrode journal, and a valve adapted to be depressed for the purpose of admitting oil to the journal of said electrode, substantially as described.

5. The combination in a gas-engine, of a movable electrode, a reciprocating rod to actuate the movable electrode, a sleeve encircling said reciprocating rod at some point between its two ends, two actuating-tappets carried by the upper end of the rod, a pivotal journaL box supporting said sleeve, and a key for holding the said sleeve and rod in relative rotary adjustment, but permitting of longitudinal movement of said rod with reference to said sleeve, substantially as described.

6. In a gas-engine, the combination of a movable electrode, a reciprocating bar or rod eccentrically attached to the crank-shaft at one end and free at the other end and sup ported between its ends in a pivoted bearing in which it slides, its free end adapted to intermittently engage with and move the electrode, substantially as described.

7. In a gas engine, the combination of a movable electrode, a reciprocating actuating rod, a sleeve encircling the said reciprocating rod, a pivotal j ournal-box supporting the said sleeve, a key for holding said sleeve in relative position, two actuating-tappets carried by the upper end of the rod and suitable means for mechanically revolving the rod within the pivotal sleeve, substantially as de scribed.

8. The combination in a gas-engine with a movable and a stationary electrode, of a reciprocating rod for actuating the electrodes eccentrically attached to the crank-shaft, a pivoted central support for the said rod in which it slides and adapted to give to the upper end or contact-point of said rod an elliptical path, substantially as described.

9. The combination in a gas-engine with a movable and stationary electrode, said movable electrode journaled in a sleeve situated in the cylinder-walls, a cylinder-head covering one end of said cylinder and surrounded by a water-space, a puppet-valve closing the oil-duct to the movable electrode, and a valveseat adapted to be depressed for admitting the oil to the journal of said electrode, substantially as described.

10. The combination in an explosive-engine having a movable and a stationary electrode, a contact dog or lug on the movable electrode,

of a reciprocating rod having a plurality of IIO dogs or lugs on the movable electrode, said reciprocating rod being eccentrically connected to the crank-shaft, substantially as described.

In Witness whereof We have hereunto set our hands and seals in the presence of two witnesses.

WVILLIS J. PERKINS. CARL I-I. BLOMSTROM.

\Vitnesses:

EDW'ARD TAGGART, CHRISTOPHER I-IONDELINK. 

